Where’s My Tax Refund?

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The IRS officially opened for the 2014 tax season today and a common question asked around this time is “Where’s My Refund?”

Many taxpayers also have questions about how the process of getting tax refunds and refund timing works.

We know you work hard for your money and wanted to answer some of the most common questions we see about the issuance of tax refunds.

Here is a breakdown of how your tax return will progress through 3 stages with the IRS -“Return Received”, “Return Approved”, and “Refund Sent” once you e-file and where you can go to check your refund status so you understand “Where’s My Refund?”:

Refund Process

  1. Start checking status 24 – 48 hours after e-fileOnce you e-file with direct deposit, you can start checking the status of your return 24 – 48 hours after you e-file on the IRS Where’s My Refund tool.
  2. Return Received Notice within 24 – 48 hours after e-file – The IRS Where’s My Refund tool will show “Return Received” status once they begin processing your tax return.  You will not see a refund date until the IRS finishes processing your tax return and approves your tax refund.
  3. Status change from “Return Received” to “Refund Approved” – Once the IRS finishes processing your tax return and confirms your tax refund is approved, your status will change from “Return Received” to “Refund Approved”.  Sometimes the change in status can take a few days, but it could take longer and a date will not be provided in Where’s My Refund? until your tax return is processed and your tax refund is approved.
  4. Where’s My Refund? tool shows refund date – The IRS will provide an actual refund date once your status moves to “Refund Approved”.  The IRS issues more than 9 out of 10 refunds in 21 days or less.
  5. Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent” – You’re now closer to your biggest tax refund! If the status in Where’s My Refund? shows “Refund Sent”, the IRS has sent your tax refund to your financial institution for direct deposit.  It can take 1 to 5 days for your financial institution to deposit funds into your account.  If you requested that your tax refund be mailed, it could take several weeks for your check to arrive.

Here are more answers to your common questions about your tax refund:

Will I see a date right away when I check status in “Where’s My Refund”? 

Where’s My Refund will not give you a date until your tax return is received, processed, and your tax refund is approved by the IRS

It’s been longer than 21 days since the IRS has received my tax return and I have not received my tax refund.  What’s happening?

Some tax returns take longer than others to process depending on your tax situation.  Some of the reasons it may take longer are incomplete information, an error, or the IRS needs to review it further.

What other sources can I use to check my refund status?

Once you have e-filed your tax return with TurboTax, you can check your status using MyTurboTax.  You can even check your status on the go from your mobile device using TurboTax free app MyTaxRefund.

If you haven’t e-filed your taxes yet, you can start today.  You may even be able to e-file your federal tax return for free and have your biggest tax refund in your pocket within 21 days.

3,444 responses to “Where’s My Tax Refund?”

  1. People, please chill out! I agree that the government uses our tax dollars like some type reverse mode loan shark, where we earn no interest on our money they are using and holding “just in case” until we are allowed, only once per annum, to file a request to receive, what they call our over-payment, which is really our interest free loan to them. Bottom line – it is what it is. Just imagine – Every friggin person in the U.S. who is owed money by the government is requesting to get their money RIGHT NOW. As smart as us humans are, we have not been able to invent a system that can handle that much volume. The U.S. is one of the most technically advanced societies in modern civilization, however when too many people jump on the wi-fi at home,or the internet connection in the neighborhood, it will slow down tremendously or either crash! Same principle applies – What goes up, must come down. I see many folks on this blog posting that they are either calling to talk to someone or ordering transcripts because it’s been a few days since they filed and have not received an update with a DDD, when in reality, the wait period that the government publicizes has not been exhausted. They do ask us to allow them at least 21 days to process the return. Calling to talk to a representative, who will most probably tell you the same thing as my previous sentence stated, and requesting transcripts for no true need (cause it will only go in the trash along with the other junk mail) does nothing but stagnate the process further and kill trees in vain. Some folks say that it is nerve wracking because it’s been 10 days and there is no change in their status on WMR and others they know have already received their money. I don’t understand this senseless act of getting your springs wound up. Here is my reasoning – If you cheated, you probably won’t get caught until after June because businesses and employers are not required to report information to the IRS until June. IT HAS NOT BEEN AT LEAST 21 DAYS YET!!!. I would really hate to know that you ended up spending your money that you will get in a few more days, but less than 21 days on a hospital bill, because you ran your blood pressure up and stroked out because your friend received their money before you and they filed after you. Just wait a few more days and you will be able to save that expenditure and do something like: get your car repaired, buy some new Jordan’s, put some more chrome on the Harley, buy a pair of designer jeans, have a party, or catch up/ pay off bills. Let’s try to be a bit more patient folks.

  2. I see a lot of people didn’t get to that approval bar until the 12th day, I was accepted on the 4th and have already ordered my transcripts. Hopefully I’ll get a ddd soon, I’ve been@ 1bar for 9 days now!

  3. Glad to see some of you have DD dates. I do see that the IRS still isn’t going in any kind of order. My return was accepted on the 29th and still nothing and I can’t order transcripts. This is day 15 of the waiting game.

  4. Brandi – IRS accepted my return on 1/28 and WMR just shows “We have received your tax return and it is being processed” . Filed through turbotax

  5. I filed in store 29 and got accepted on feb 3, today i recieved a email that says your refund is coming. You may use your card. What does that mean.tha

  6. I file my return on the 31 but h&r block put the wrong day of birth so I went back feb the 3th to change it the irs receive it on the 4th does anybody knows how long does it take to be approve houston texas

  7. I got accepted 24th and still no progress, This is starting to piss me off. it seems like they are working backwards. Im getting so angry with our government. If we made mistakes like they do we would be in jail. I hope they start getting everyones money to them

  8. Finally!!!! Taxpayers who got accepted on the 31st got approved this morning with a ddd of Feb. 18th….I thought the wait would be longer being that some others have a ddd date of Feb 20th but for those of us who waited 14 days the wait is OVER!!! Thank God!!!!!

    • I was accepted on the 26th early but the irs.gov website says it’s still being processed. Where did you find this information.

    • That’s not true for everyone. I filed on the 31st and was accepted the same day. Still nothing. Lots if ithets are in the same boat as well.

    • I filed 1/16 and got accepted 1/30. They’ve been processing mine for over 2 weeks and still not approved. Mine is a simple return with a single 1099-R and standard deductions. Everything about my return is exactly the same as it has been for the last 12 years, except for the 2% COLA increase each year.

  9. Has anyone that was received on 1/28 received a DDD yet? I am still on one bar and has not changed. TT website said estimated 2/20 but is that accurate?

  10. Filed and accepted on the 31st. Ordered my transcripts yesterday and woke up to approved and dd for feb18.! The good always finish last! Lol! Enjoy everyone! God is good!

    • Hi Marie, If you have the ability to order your transcripts does this mean that your refund is approved and on the way? Also, ive noticed that some people have stated that they ordered their account transcript as well as the return transcripts. Are there two of them and are they separate?

    • Yes me too!!!! Thank GOD my return was approved and has a dd date for feb 18 as well!!! Good luck to those who are still waiting! Hope it comes tomorrow.

    • Gametime:

      Go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript. Do not go to the “Online” section. Go to the one where it says “Get Transcript by Mail.” Click on that and fill in the blanks. It does not ask for anything but your social, street address and postal code on the first page. When you press the “continue” button, it will ask you for what year do you want it for. It will also ask you if you have you filed taxes before. Say yes and then it will ask you what tax year you want the transcript for. If you do not see the tax year 2013, that means the IRS is not finished with your return yet. If it is not there, then just exit out and wait until tomorrow to see if you can get the 2013 tax return. Also, if you do see 2013, then you don’t have to ask for the transcript, unless you need it for something, since you know it is done and you should be getting your DDD very soon. Mine came the very next day! Let me know how it goes.

  11. Finally! Progress everyone! Filed and accepted on Feb 2. Transcripts on Monday, moves to refund approved this morning with a dd of Feb 18… Let’s see when it hits my bank (chase)…

    • I was filed Feb. 2 and was accepted Feb 2 but the WMR still shows received on first bar. Nothing else, I don’t understand what the hold up is. I am not able to order transcripts so that means they have not processed my return yet This sucks day 11 and nothing yet, I don’t understand how other people who filed on the 2 are getting DDD and I am NOT.

  12. I was finally able to order my transcripts on the 12th and today I see that I will have a DDD of the 18th or sooner. Well…until next year… 🙂

      • Benicia:

        Go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript. Do not go to the “Online” section. Go to the one where it says “Get Transcript by Mail.” Click on that and fill in the blanks. It does not ask for anything but your social, street address and postal code on the first page. When you press the “continue” button, it will ask you for what year do you want it for. It will also ask you if you have you filed taxes before. Say yes and then it will ask you what tax year you want the transcript for. If you do not see the tax year 2013, that means the IRS is not finished with your return yet. If it is not there, then just exit out and wait until tomorrow to see if you can get the 2013 tax return. Also, if you do see 2013, then you don’t have to ask for the transcript, unless you need it for something, since you know it is done and you should be getting your DDD very soon. Mine came the very next day! Let me know how it goes.

  13. I wonder if the irs would get mad if i did a 1099 form and post poned paying my taxes when due of course they would they would slap a fine on me and if i didnt pay i would go to jail. Maybe the door should swing both ways

  14. I got accepted on the 24th because turbo tax pushed returns through to early and mine is still showing delayed direct deposit date of 2/6/2014. The irs is recommending everyone use turbo tax done it 3 years now and the same thing every year. You would think the irs was intelligent enough to reprocess the ones that got first. I guess not

    • MIKE, i feel the same way, i filed 0n 1-22-14 was accepted 2-2-14, only says your return is being processed, a due date will be on there when available, OMG, this sucks,

  15. I just checked wrm and finally it moved to approved! I have a ddd of 2-18-14. I filed on the 2nd and was accepted on the 2nd. Everyone whose still waiting I know its frustrating, but hang in there cause it’s a waiting game. Hope you all get your refunds soon!

  16. i just check my status and my refund got approve DDD on febuary 18…OMG i’ve been waiting for 12 days and its such a relief!!! Good luck to everyone that is still waiting

  17. ******I have a couple of questions, please answer. I filed on 1/31 go accepted on 2/2. Still at 1bar. Did it through hrblock emerald. I haven’t been able to order return transcript but can order account transcript by mail for 5 days now, has anyone experienced this and what does it mean? I had a newborn in November of 2013 so added her to my return with my other 2 children. Will this cause longer processing….. moving out on the 16th with nowhere to go because of this. Do they deposit on weekends/Saturday or Sunday? How long would it take for deposit once you are approved? Im so scared.

  18. WHAT A RELIEF IT IS TO FINALLY SEE MY REFUND STATUS BAR MOVE TO THE SECOND APPROVED STAGE FOR WHAT HAD SEEMED LIKE FOREVER…(SIGH)

    I DIDNT THINK IT WOULD EVER MOVE…I FILED ON THE 31ST AND GOT ACCEPTED THAT SAME DAY..UNFORTUNATELY IT STAYED ON THAT FIRST BAR UNTIL AFTER 2AM THIS MORNING. BOY I TELL YA THESE PAST 12 DAYS OF MY LIFE WERE THE LONGEST INDEED.

    IM SURE THAT ALOT OF PPL INCLUDING MYSELF THAT HAS COMMENTED ON HERE THE PAST WEEK BOUT THE SAME ISSUE SHOULD BE IN FOR A LONG AWAITED SURPRISE WHEN THEY CHECK THERE REFUND STATUS.

    I SAID IT BEFORE AND ILL SAY IT AGAIN ONE LAST TIME TIL NEXT YEAR…

    HAPPY SPENDING PPL 🙂

    FROM HOUSTON TEXAS

    • damn, maybe mine will happen soon. still 1 bar. filed and accepted 1/31 like you. in waco tx here. nothing yet. fingers crossed! what day did they give you eleazar?

    • Well here I am looking for answers after only a week of waiting since the “Received” tab and now I’m not so freaked out anymore… Still annoyed though, it seems like everyone I know got theirs within a week or so and I’m still here waiting on a date.

  19. DAY 13 AND NOTHING YET. NO SBBT. NO IRS BAR MOVING. NO TURBO E-MAIL. NADDA. This is BULL that the gov. can shut down for 2 weeks and get PAID. Yet we can’t have OUR measly money in a timely fashion, all because of a rumored “glitch”. I’m sick of this.

  20. A very aggravating & sad update…
    After much research of my tax situation, I am regretfully under review (account is under -R freeze). If you have access to your transcript PLEASE review it and if you have code 570 & 971 your refund has a “freeze” on it until they review your tax records. I am sad, frustrated, nervous, anxious, and so many other emotions. I read that that can take up to an additional 4-6 weeks to review. WHY????? I so need my money that I have worked hard all year for and I cannot understand what has triggered this. I know people who have filed fraudulent returns (carrying dependents that they did not care for) & have gotten back thousands of dollars in returns with no problem (over $8,000 to be exact) and here I am not even getting half that much and mine is under review. I am so sickened by this but nothing in life is fair and I guess that is just the way the ball bounces some times. Thanks for letting me vent to you guys. I wish everyone much success in getting their money expeditiously as I know that we can all use it like yesterday

  21. I filed my taxes on 1/24 got accepted by the irs on 1/31. It’s been 14 days now and I’m still stuck on return received. And I know 2 other people that had filed days after me and hVe already received their return. What the heck is going on here!! I’m angry n frustrated with the irs. When I call they won’t give me any answers.

  22. I would not read too much into where the bar is!..I filed Feb 2nd, and received my check yesterday; however, the bar on mine is still saying return received lol..

  23. I dont think there is any method to this madness with getting our returns. I know people who filed on the 31st and got there refnds already and i know people who filed last week on the 7th and got there refunds already. Mine is still processing and it was accepted on the 3rd. But not approved yet. It has nothing to do with turbo tax and nothing to do with dependents, hoh, deductions or any of that.

  24. Ok this may not include any of you, I filed on 2/3 and well the people I filed my taxes through never sent it off, it was not sent off until I called and checked on it yesterday…it was recieved the same day (yesterday) but no change yet.

  25. Hi I filed jan 31st 2014 got accepted on the 31 had one bar til jan 7,2014 and now its jan 11,2014 and Iststill have no bars just my refund is still being processed and my refund date will be provided when available im getting worried plz help

    • I had a DDD of 2/12 as did my neighbor, my neighbor got hers and I still have not received mine. Wheres my refund finally updated to refund sent……Im so tired of waiting!

    • My little sister had a send by 2/10 and no later than the 17th but her money was in her account on the 8th. I would check with your bank and also check to make sure that the right account numbers are on the return. That sounds crazy to me but than again stranger things have happened with the irs.

  26. I will join in with everyone else: Filed on 1/31 and still on one bar…still being processed. And yes, my brother and a coworker of mine filed after me and are already spending it…frustrating…

      • I believe it can take up to 5 business days to post to your account so it may happen on the 5th day and that is why the bank is not seeing it either cause it is not actually pending to post yet until maybe the 5th day. The only time they can see things for days out pending is if the bank itself post something to your account and put it on hold for a couple of days for example a check or something. Other than that if the bank gets it on the 5th day and begin processing it then it may show. That is why the Irs is giving grace periods cause it sent through their processing process as well. If they are backed up they are allowing themselves up to 5 days. Hope its makes some sense but im sure you will see it within the 5 days

      • @ Madelin, my boyfriend and I filed on the 5th of this month also and was accepted 20-30 mins apart from turbo tax.Turbo Tax acceptance email said that I would have my tax before Feb.25 which it will be 21 days . I looked on the WMR no movement, which it sucks. I call called and tried to see I could order our transcript, which says no records of returns for 2013 is found. For the past years i never had a problem and when I did, they notified me. I know everyone that did they taxes before everyone else, should’ve gotton their by now and it nerves wreaking. I’m going to check Friday morning to see if anything change. I can’t do anything but wait. At least I get paid from my job next week. I just want pay off and catch up with my bills and put the rest in savings for school.

      • There have been ppl like me that have been accepted since the 24th and still no movement, thats just too long.

  27. However, ive been trying to order my transcripts for days and just ten minutes ago they finally let me order it so hopefully by tomorrow i have a ddd. My return got accepted 2/1/14 so i should have been had a ddd. Im patiently waiting but im concerned.

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